The Activation Draught

Brewing the Activation Draught was a crucial step in wandmaking. Only by using an outstanding draught could a wandmaker activate the wand wood, enhancing its compatibility with the core.

Compared to modern potion-making, the Activation Draught used in wandmaking often utilized more ancient ingredients.

Ollivander had therefore specially recommended several books for Wizette to read, allowing him to understand the characteristics and effects of ancient ingredients, laying a foundation for the next step.

This could be seen as Ollivander's recognition of Wizette, believing that this Ravenclaw student would not disappoint and would grasp the usage of those ancient ingredients.

As the start of term drew closer, the new students had all purchased their desired wands.

Ollivander's wand shop was no longer as busy, and a new round of wandmaking instruction began.

Ollivander held up two spherical berries and said, "Mistletoe berries are divided into white and red. White berries are relatively easy to obtain and are used in most Activation Draughts."

"If you have carefully considered your wand combination, requiring dragon heartstring or phoenix feather, and want to make the best even better, you might consider using the red berries..."

He paused, waiting for Wizette to offer an explanation.

This was a teaching method tailored specifically for Wizette; through answering questions or reconciling concepts, it reinforced his memory of the related knowledge.

Wizette utilized his Magic Eyes to observe the difference between the two types of mistletoe.

The magic flow of the two berries was nearly identical, but the flow in the red berry was visibly clearer—an indication of superior efficacy, which was the so-called 'making the best even better.'

After observing, he spoke, "In the era before wands, mistletoe was a common 'medium.' Its properties are healing and protection, and it was also the earliest healing potion..."

"So its role in the Activation Draught must be to restore the vitality of the wand wood through healing, protecting both the wizard and the wand. Mr. Ollivander, is my understanding correct?"

"Very good, that is exactly the effect," Ollivander nodded in confirmation, placing the white berry on the table. "We will begin brewing the draught shortly, and we'll use this for practice."

He then picked up a vial of golden liquid. The liquid resembled shimmering golden sand; when shaken gently, it looked like a swirling, brilliant galaxy, and his eyes shone with anticipation.

Wizette said, "Oak sap. Its properties are strength and resilience, which can significantly extend the lifespan of a wand and enhance the purity of the wand wood itself."

"Excellent! And this..." Ollivander took out a vial of green liquid. "Clover essence, which guides the Activation Draught to fuse better."

"Furthermore, due to the properties of clover, adding its essence can also promote harmony between the wizard and the wand."

"These three ingredients..." He set down the vial of clover essence, grouping it with the other two ingredients, "are the foundation of the Activation Draught."

"Using them as a base, one must add other ingredients based on the differences in wand wood and core, ensuring they do not overpower the magical properties while maintaining balance..."

Wizette asked, "Mr. Ollivander, if unicorn hair is used as the core, could we add vervain? Its properties are purification, protection, and healing."

"Indeed!" Ollivander smiled, nodding with great satisfaction. "Heather, yarrow, rowan, and so on, are all usable ingredients."

"Harmony is the eternal goal in wandmaking, and this is also the unique advantage of your Magic Eyes. You can directly observe the wand to help it achieve better harmony."

"This time, I plan to craft a wand using willow wood and unicorn hair. We will use it as an example and do our best to finish it before the term starts!"

Initially, Ollivander thought Wizette had only utilized his after-class time to learn how to identify and process various herbs from a Potions Master like Snape.

It wasn't until he guided Wizette in brewing the Activation Draught that he discovered Wizette could also bring him many surprises in this field.

Brewing potions was no easy task; it required not only patience with monotony but also maintaining high concentration.

Especially when brewing the Activation Draught, to ensure maximum vitality, one had to focus with absolute intensity.

Ollivander had actually come prepared, preparing more than ten portions of ingredients to account for potential losses.

By his goal, if Wizette could successfully brew a cauldron of Activation Draught using ten portions of ingredients, he would already be considered exceptionally gifted.

When Wizette picked up the tools and began processing the ingredients, Ollivander immediately felt that things were not so simple.

Wizette's movements were highly practiced, the processing incredibly quiet, and his tools rarely made harsh contact with the cutting board.

This showed that when processing ingredients, he applied force very precisely, causing no excessive waste.

Watching Wizette process ingredients was a soothing experience.

He cut the ingredients into uniform, appropriately sized pieces, then sorted them into different containers. The entire tabletop remained neat, and his movements were highly graceful.

Ollivander glanced at the time; Wizette had taken less than ten minutes to process one portion of ingredients.

"Mr. Ollivander, these remaining ingredients..."

"Keep processing them! They are all needed."

"Yes, sir!" Wizette maintained his swift movements, continuing to process the remaining ingredients.

Ollivander stood by watching, his heart filled with growing astonishment.

Despite repeating the movements for a long time, Wizette could still maintain precision, ensuring that the waste of each portion of ingredients was roughly equal.

When all the ingredients were processed, Wizette waved his wand to wipe away his sweat, instinctively asking, "Professor Sna... Mr. Ollivander, is there anything that needs improvement?"

He felt as if he were back at Hogwarts, receiving private tutoring from Snape.

Usually, after processing ingredients, he would ask Snape if there was anything to improve, any technique to refine, or any step processed incorrectly...

"I... think it's all very good, whether it's the waste level or the processing movements... very good indeed!" Ollivander sighed softly.

"Wizette, you seemed to mention Snape just now... At Hogwarts, after you finish processing ingredients, does Snape deliberately offer suggestions for improvement?"

"Initially, Professor Snape would actively correct my mistakes," Wizette nodded. "Later on, he spoke up less often."

"So after processing the ingredients, I would instinctively ask, and under Professor Snape's guidance, continue to make improvements."

Ollivander was somewhat surprised. "He teaches you that way?"

Wizette nodded. "Yes, sir."

"A hawthorn wand... It is indeed a bit headstrong..." Ollivander muttered. "It's no wonder... after all, with such talent..."